The Craven County Community Foundation, a North Carolina Community Foundation affiliate, has awarded $233,300 in grants to 36 organizations supporting the local community. 

The board of advisors granted: 

• $5,000 to Autism Society of North Carolina for autism resource specialists in Craven County 
• $11,500 to Backpack Blessings, Inc. for Holiday Blessings 
• $3,000 to Bike Box Project for Stronger Together: Health, technology and hope for people with Parkinson’s 
• $5,000 to CarolinaEast Foundation for Craven County Patient Assistance Program 
• $11,000 to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh for senior pharmacy program 
• $7,500 to Centenary United Methodist Church (doing business as New Bern Community Respite Care) for Come Again: Bringing Respite for All in Year Two 
• $5,000 to Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas for Craven County Childhood Cancer Safety Net 
• $9,000 to Coastal Women’s Shelter, Inc. for general operating support 
• $2,500 to Colonial Capital Humane Society for heartworm treatment for Craven County dogs 
• $14,000 to Craven Community College Foundation for Toolbelt Trust Expansion Project 
• $3,500 to Craven County Partners in Education for James W. Smith Elementary School playground 
• $10,000 to Craven Literacy Council for Transforming Lives Through Literacy 
• $10,000 to Eastern Carolina Young Men’s Christian Association for Continuing STRONG: Empowering cancer survivors to thrive 
• $2,000 to Eastern Pregnancy Information Clinic for fatherhood program 
• $15,000 to Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Inc., for nourishing families in Craven County 
• $4,000 to Hesed Place for Journey Center programs for adults recovering from childhood trauma 
• $1,000 to Home Health and Hospice Care (doing business as 3HC) for Wings Camp for grieving youth 
• $5,000 to Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc., to support Craven County residents in need of civil legal services 
• $2,000 to Made4Me, Inc. for Making Abilities Possible 
• $15,000 to MERCI Clinic for Lab Work for All 
• $2,000 to North Carolina Coastal Federation for Coastal Stewardship: Oyster shell recycling and water quality protection 
• $3,500 to North Carolina Symphony for ensembles in Craven County schools 
• $5,000 to Possumwood Acres Wildlife Sanctuary for wildlife responsibilities and community engagement for Craven County 
• $6,300 to Prevent Blindness North Carolina for Craven County vision screening program 
• $11,000 to Public Radio East Foundation for general operating support 
• $5,000 to Realize U 252 for comprehensive addiction recovery program 
• $15,000 to Religious Community Services for shelter operating assistance 
• $5,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Triangle for Craven County Care Fund 
• $5,000 to Ronald McDonald House of Eastern NC for general operating support 
• $10,000 to The Salvation Army of New Bern for winter rent and utilities assistance program 
• $5,000 to Sound Rivers, Inc. for Craven County Schools: Restoration and Education 
• $2,000 to Special Olympics North Carolina for Special Olympics North Carolina Craven County 
• $6,000 to Tried by Fire, Inc. for My Sister’s House: Safe shelter for post-incarcerated women 
• $3,000 to True Justice International for Restore: trauma-informed addiction treatment for survivors of human trafficking 
• $2,500 to Urban Rural Action for Uniting for Action in eastern North Carolina 
• $6,000 to Vanceboro Christian Help Center for general operating support

“It is an honor to provide grants to local nonprofits and community organizations,” said Charles Cushman, advisory board president of the Craven County Community Foundation. “Permanent philanthropy ensures the continued vitality of our communities.” 

Funds for 2025 grants came from CCCF’s community grantmaking fund, the Richard Chapman Cleve Fund, the Brian Fisher Endowment, the Harry and Virginia Killian Charitable Endowment, and the Nelson Family Memorial Endowment Fund. Each year, CCCF’s advisory board uses dollars from its endowment funds to make grants to eligible local organizations, including nonprofits, local governments, schools and churches. 

The Craven County Community Foundation will host a community gathering on Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m. to celebrate their 2025 grantees. To learn more and RSVP, visit nccommunityfoundation.org/CravenRSVP.     

Craven County Community Foundation Advisory Board Members
Advisory board members are volunteers who live and work in Craven County, positioning them to strategically leverage resources, meet local needs and access opportunities. In addition to Cushman, board members include Susan Braaten (vice president), Trey Ferguson (secretary), Lee Knot (treasurer), Joseph Anderson, Ellen Chance, Joseph Geiger, Brenda George, Omar Gonzalez, Tyler Harris, Zeb Hough, Suzanne Madison, Kelly Millington, Ed Mitchell, Peter Moeller, Pat Leigh Pittman, Dan Roberts, Jonathan Segal, Mary Skinner, Linda J. Staunch, Alice Tolson and Leigh Wheeler. 

About the North Carolina Community Foundation 
The North Carolina Community Foundation transforms the collective generosity of our donors into a permanent source of community support, with a focus on the state’s rural areas.    

NCCF partners with donors and a network of affiliates to sustain over 1,300 endowments totaling nearly $570 million in assets. More than $338 million has been awarded as grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students, creating stronger communities for generations to come.    

To learn more about how we turn generosity into impact, visit nccommunityfoundation.org.